Stressful or what!!

Unsure about pre booking an Uber, that worked out great, thankfully.. then the awful line for checked luggage!?! What in hell is that all about, I haven't checked a bag since.. oh! June lol But that was scan the passport, tick the boxes, wrap the label drop the bag handle and go, two minutes.. well maybe five, but very easy.

There were no conveyor belts working in the Ryanair section, so only three desks open and three people moving cases manually...

But not mine!?! Apparently mine was extra size bag? Not!! Had to line up further along and drop there, where the poor customer service man was in a right pickle! He ran the bags through the x-ray machine.. and two came back and he had to get them opened and test them for drugs!

Two too many, it caused a helluva hold up! Thankfully mine cleared immediately, I'm glad, I didn't want him pawing through my clothes! And unmentionables! Lol

Going through security, scanned my boarding code, then faced with two arrows, everyone ahead of me taking the left line, I took the right, only to have to stop while a guy was making people use both lanes further down.. I said he'd scuppered my plans by doing so, he said he didn't know why people were only using one lane! Ha! 

Then I was into departures, got a coffee, looked for a book, couldn't see one I wanted.. bought some random pjs, quick toilet break, back to books.. then I sat down and nearly freaked out.. my gate was boarding already!! And the furthest away! Practically knocked people out of my way!! Heck! I never do that!!

Then, in the line just before passport check woman behind said to her child about this TUI flight!! I had a mild case of panic at that point! Lol 

Now about to take off!

Bring me my coffee now please! And preferably a valium! Coffee and my cake almost an hour before everyone else's as I had pre ordered... What a brilliant idea I always take advantage of, not sure why others don't.. 

So, just coffee and a strange waffle thing! I only ate one.. was a lot more filling than I anticipated!

Flight has gone quickly and gently... Mid twenties rising to low thirties expected today... I am already in shorts on the plane..

M.

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

Joseph Campbell

 

Okay, down here in Andalusia.. mí corazón, my home for so long.. 

Today staying down in Calahonda, sat having coffee at Bar near work, old friends asked if I felt I had done the right thing... 

I answered I know I have, but it doesn't mean I don't miss here, my home, twenty three years is a lifetime, or can be, it's a change of life, a way of life, so different from my old, and now my new..

Three years short of the forty years that I have called españa home... 

It's a wonder that Spain didn't show up in my DNA, joking of course! I know that can't be a thing, although I am part Welsh and lived there for three years!?! 

These two photograph above, and one beneath, taken from a friend's home over the weekend, there below, the white line, of a white village, one of the white villages of Andalucía.. Alhaurín El Grande, my Alhaurín.. 

The hump of a small mountain in front of Alhaurín Sierra Gorda, and below looking back the opposite way...

Below two more photographs from Alicante province, did not have long enough a visit, next time... I flew in and out like a passing bird on the wing... 

Stunning.. what an amazing view to see each day.. makes the heart shine..

I imagine the angels from City of Angels, standing in awe, the sound of sunrise and sun sets pouring through their hearts and souls... 

Now! To completely change the subject!

Carlos Juan link to book and all information.

Please use code MARIAN to secure your copy as limited edition.

This is an exceptional book with foreword written by George Benson, who highlights Carlos's abilities as a true master.

Stating that "Carlos Juan would have to be among the greatest guitar technicians in the world.

You will also get valuable data about guitar action of the superstars, since Carlos worked on guitars for all of them, as well as tools, and installation tips. 

There are a one hundred pages, 1000+ artists, and 850 photos.

The Carlos brand, also known as Carlos Juan Pickups, is a world-renowned manufacturer of high-end acoustic guitar pickups and amplifiers, recognized for their superior performance, accuracy, quality, and reliability, often described as the "Rolls Royce of all acoustic guitar pickups."

The brand has received high ratings from top guitarists and trade press, and Carlos Juan has been nominated multiple times for the German Innovation Award. 

Carlos Juan and his work is highly trusted by many famous musicians, including George Benson, Eric Clapton, David Knopfler, Mark Knopfler, Al di Meola, Larry Coryell, Pat Metheny, John McLaughlin, Tomatito, Vicente Amigo, Brian Adams, Gary Moore, Nathan East, Yamandu Costa and many more. Eric Clapton's guitar technician, Lee Dickson, commissioned two specific CP-1 High-End systems and two CTP tube preamps for Eric Clapton in 2004 and 2006.

The reason I am promoting this book, not just on my book Blog but here also, and not copy edited by me, but my input is there and help along the way, mainly reminding, pushing, promoting, and pushing more! As with other authors I have dealt with along my way.. So this book means a lot to me.

M.

Young people can run fast

But old people know the way

Anon

Above Thursday evening, back in Alhaurín... 

Beautiful sunsets.. memories abound.. 

Yesterday, Friday 13th June, the Botanical Gardens of Málaga.. all these years meaning to visit.. never too late! 

We got the fast bus from Alhaurín to Málaga bus station, us three girls, stopped for breakfast at a bar near the bus station.. it was busy but we nabbed a table and three chairs..

The botanical gardens on built above Málaga, above the A45 to Cordoba..

It is about 13 minutes from the hospital.. There really are no excuses for not going over these decades!! 

The bus from here is fast, and cheap, and the bus from Málaga bus station took about half an hour, and cost 1.40€ very cheap... 

We had coffees, twice, and a little food from the cafe on site, was clean and well stocked.. the many bathrooms were all clean..

Sorry, laughing to myself, I'm giving a review here!! I leave it to Google maps for that! 

We walked, and walked.. remember the gardens are on the side of a mountain! Was easy and okay to walk, but maybe not when it gets hotter.. we didn't get everywhere, saving a little for next time.. and cooler weather..

We imagined, different times of the year everything would be different, of course, like any garden.. ever changing, ever growing.. 

So incredibly beautiful, and the air, although right next to the A45, and you could hear it.. the air amongst the trees was beautiful.. refreshing..

The house! Stunning! I'll put a link here to the Botanical Gardens of Málaga.

Some photographs today, more in the morning.. 

Two nights ago I dreamt about many holes in the road ahead of me...

Dreams about holes in the road often symbolize life's challenges and obstacles, suggesting the need for caution and perseverance. The holes can represent unexpected difficulties or situations that require careful navigation. It may also reflect a sense of being lost or facing uncertainty in one's life. 

Interesting eh! Sorry dream out of context, but I'd already left this here from yesterday morning.. and let's be honest, much of life is out of context!

So yesterday! 

After our long wonderful day in Málaga, I had a brief reprieve and then off to Bar Monika at the other end of town, my old end, so to speak! 

After a glass of wine and the world's largest burger to share! Would not, could not be eaten alone, and still both left some!

A good laugh, good conversation and in my old local.. 

My walk back, still light, about 9pm, back the way I walked, we walked, too many times to count.. was beautiful and sad..

To live here nineteen years, and now not, to feel my heart cry, bleed.. It hurts.. still, how long for? Always...

And back once more at K.s... 

M.

You were born with the ability to change someone's life, don't ever waste it.

Dale Partridge - Author

Here's a first, Blogging from 37 thousand feet...

On a flight from Gatwick to JFK, took off nearly two hours ago, have about five to go I think..

A beautiful sunset out of my window.. I didn't book a seat but she asked me where I have a preference to sit and I said window please, so here I am...

Been a long day so far, up at six thirty, flight from Málaga to Gatwick at 11:15am.. few hours in Gatwick and now here I am.. free seat next to me, and other girl on the aisle seat.

All good, of course, love Norwegian Air!

Next post from New York amigos..

TTFN
Marian

The road through Malaga, making memories...

View of Málaga Cathedral... Our small bijou apartment was only a few minutes not only from calle Lorios but also the Cathedral... a magnificent building, I actually have never been inside of!

I took my proper camera with us, feel like a tourist in Málaga... well I suppose if your not living there, or not working there... Not gone purely for shopping, a tourist is what it is!

A pretty dumpster nearby to where we were staying, a reclying one no less!

We left on Valentines Day, not in our plan, or booking even, but it was getting late in the day, or early in the evening? We had been out for a few hours earlier and were tired, I suggested we came home, we had to be home earlier than we had expected for a meeting with the nurse at our house on Wednesday and I was worrying about rushing about first thing in the morning and in the rush of both workers and travellers... (I must admit also, I was worried about our car, and a second night left parked in a car park just on the out-skirts of the city...) Anyways, after a couple of times of me suggesting going home, we did... we got back to our car, popped our bags in and had a meal where we were... then came home, we were tucked up cosy, fire roaring and watching a movie by ten pm... Very quiet without the Pipster of course!

After the visit with the nurse on the following day I went to get her... she was just the same as if we had been gone for a fortnight!  I also got gas and took them both home!

Franco and I had to do a re-visit to the local social security office in Coín yesterday, we had all the paperwork, originals, copies, done deal... Or so I thought, we arrived, parked okay, got a ticket, and within five minutes in we went, the head of department... did we have everything? No I didn't copy the document itself!  Needed two copies, NOTE to SELF for a years time!!! TAKE TWO copies of THE document!!!

We went into the town, parked, walked to a papeleria copied the document, twice, for each of us, I even got all the rest copied again, well you know... just in case!

Back to the S.S. offices, parked again, lucky twice!  Back in, got another ticket, and this time had to wait a while, all the people with appointments had priority, of course, only right... and a lady who was having trouble with the machine... in the end I went up and asked if I could help her and her husband, did they have an appointment booked? yes they said, was she inputting the correct number? yes she said, I looked.... Mmmmm no, she wasn't, poor woman was trying to insert her health care number!!! So after someone else also told her the same thing, she got her handbag (from the car), and tried again... NO booked appointment had been made and someone else helped them book appointments over the computer there!  Although of course, they could have just taken a ticket!!!

And in this time, I thought I better sort out our now totally messed up paperwork, and I had a panic!  I thought I had left both our passports and my new residencia card in the papeleria shop! Then I found them in our bag!! But it was too late, my head was banging, my neck was like a rock and I felt sick!!

I just panicked, big time... I said to Franco as I was sitting there throwing everything around "that's it, I can't do this, I can't do anything now, I can't cope..."

But I collected myself together, then the paperwork, Francos and mine, and when our number came up in we went and out we came five minutes later, job done, paperwork done, sorted for another year...

We then did a quick shop around Aldi and home...

There is something else, don't know if it will help writing it down, or just make everyone think I have totally lost the plot... but its not a new thing, its not just me, we all have coping things, habits we do when in a bad place... don't we, don't you? Maybe its smoking, running, sleeping, drinking too much alcohol, over eating or under eating, self harming even, in various forms, cutting or making oneself sick... I am sure there are many other ways of hurting ourselves, or doing something which is the only thing we can do to have some sort of control over our lives when we have nothing left we can control, when really big things in life have taken control and we are left failing around with nothing to hold onto anymore, and we have only one thing we can do to be in control... shall I leave it here!!

Okay okay! Well I suppose now I've scared the hell out of you, all I do is I cut my hair!! LOL... My hair has been getting real long over the last few years, maybe six or seven... Last time I got my hair cut was when my mom was diagnosed with cancer, for the second time... I got it cut quite short for me... Went down the hairdressers and chop chop chop! And those of you that know me, know I don't visit the hairdressers! I can count on one hand the amount of times I have been to the hairdressers! Well, okay maybe just into my second hand now and getting it colored when we lived in Wales!

So I really have the need to cut my hair, I just want to cut it all off! I cut it the other day already! Just a few inches, it just looks daft now!  But it was maybe getting a bit rough around the ends... anyway I have seen a hair cut I like, and I showed a friend the picture yesterday, I don't think she was impressed (LOL), and is going to ask the lady who does her hair... and I might be going with her when she goes next time, just for a consultation, if people haven't cut my type of hair then I am not going to be the guinea pig!  You can't cut my hair wet, its about six inches longer when its wet and I will end up with no hair if they try that malarkey!

Otherwise I will just pick at it, hack at it, a bit here and a bit there ... its what I do, I can cut my hair!
LOL my name is Marian, I cut my hair off!

Now... where's the gin?

The bitter sweet red roses of San Valentine...

At every turn here in Málaga today, red is all around, blood red passion red red red... While our hearts bleed red tears of loss...

Franco turned to me on a bench as we sat soaking up some needed winter sun "... should buy yourself an eternity ring..." and there, as now, my tears run from my eyes and heart... You see Franco has been looking for an eternity ring for me on and off for past two or three years, just not seen 'the one...'

Our two days here in one of our favourite places is going fast, and slow...

Sun came out once we got here yesterday and stayed thankfully, it's been raining for a few days...

Forever thankful to a dear dear friend for this gift, it was so nice last evening wandering the streets, knowing we didn't have to travel back and could just be 'home' in minutes.  So many people pass through Málaga without a thought, transit only... Such a shame, it's beautiful here, we're staying in a 19th century building, it's just beautiful, it's not quiet, not peaceful... It's city status all night! When the restaurants below said good night to their last customers it was time to clean up! Bring in the outside furniture, tables chairs awnings, scraping and banging... Then, around 2am down came the bin men, wheeling the refuse dumpsters away and back again empty, followed by the street cleaners! Then it was the early bird workers going out, doors slamming and voices shouting! LOL...

I have taken several photographs of this bar front... Different quotes every time of course!

Remember I always used to put a quote at the end of my Blogs?

Here is one from, and for today...

"The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes."
Sherlock Holmes

No reality here folks! Please...

Feliz Navidad... Christmas last night in Málaga city for Franco and I.... had a wonderful time, making wonderful memories, although I had to stop him from time to time to just stop and hold him... while I tried to stop time and reality from breaking into my perfect little world...

The small church down at the marina still seems a strange sight amongst all the shops and the hundreds of people filing past taking almost no notice of it... a place of calm surrounded by bedlam.

The main street in the city, Calle Larios.... before the lights and music began!

I will try to get one of videos on here, but my camera on phone, didn't do well, and I am having trouble loading the vids from Francos camera... blah!!

At the end of the street in the main square, after the first 'lightening up', the huge old building there had its own display with music and lights, took way too many photographs of this!!

It was packed down there, the street... waiting for the start of the festivities, and I must have got bashed several times!!!

We had doctors appointment today down at the Cudeca Hospice, visit went well, it was for Franco and I was also included... We chatted about how things were left when we left the hospital, and that Franco will be having some complementary therapies, and some x-rays to check his shoulder pain, also some different pain meds and she said we can change them until we fix the pain problem... very nice visit, no hurrying, no rushing about, and the centre is calm and relaxed, I think Franco was expecting something else, so he was pleasantly surprised, if one can be pleasantly surprised in a hospice, or in this situation.

I know one thing forsure, everyone there seems very surprised at just how fit Franco is; driving, walking, shopping, you know, all the usual things!! We said about having spent hours in Málaga city last evening enjoying the lights and music... We are just living normal lives, doing what normal people do, and in my little world all is rosy and happy... and if I don't stop and think too much...

TTFN
Marian